Photo: Wikipedia
Quality of Life in Creek County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
29% below national average
127%
The Real Cost of Living in Creek County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $15k | $27k |
| Comfortable | $33k | $49k |
| Luxury | $104k+ | $161k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $123k+ | $190k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Creek County, Oklahoma offers a broad spectrum of living environments, from the suburban-style amenities of its largest city, Sapulpa, to the quiet, unincorporated crossroads of communities like Depew and Slick. The county’s character is defined by this mix, drawing commuters who work in the Tulsa metro, families seeking affordable acreage, and retirees looking for a slower pace. With a cost of living index of 71—well below the national average of 100—the county provides a tangible financial advantage, though the specific lifestyle and available amenities shift noticeably depending on whether you choose a town center or a rural parcel.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Sapulpa is the county seat and the clear population anchor, home to roughly 21,000 residents. Daily life here centers on a walkable historic downtown along Route 66, with local restaurants, antique shops, and the Creek County Courthouse anchoring the community. The city offers a full range of services, including a regional hospital (St. John Sapulpa), multiple grocery stores, and the Sapulpa Public Schools system. Bristow, the county’s second-largest town with about 4,200 people, has a more compact downtown but still provides essential retail, a hospital, and a strong sense of local identity centered on its annual Sac and Fox Nation powwow. Kellyville and Mannford (the latter straddling the county line near Keystone Lake) function as bedroom communities for Tulsa, with Mannford offering direct lake access and a growing number of lakefront homes. The average commute across the county is 25.4 minutes, which is manageable for those working in Sapulpa or Bristow but stretches to 35–40 minutes for residents commuting daily into downtown Tulsa.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Beyond the population centers, Creek County is dotted with small towns and unincorporated places that offer a distinctly quieter, more agrarian lifestyle. Drumright, a former oil-boom town with about 2,900 residents, retains a historic main street and a tight-knit community feel, though its retail options are limited to a few local stores and a grocery. Oilton and Depew are even smaller, each with fewer than 1,000 people, where daily life revolves around local churches, volunteer fire departments, and the school system. The unincorporated area of Slick is little more than a crossroads with a post office and a handful of homes, representing the most remote end of the county’s spectrum. These rural pockets lack major employers and chain retail, but they offer large lots, lower property taxes, and a pace of life that appeals to those seeking seclusion or a return to small-town roots.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living varies noticeably across the county, though it remains low by national standards. The median home value in Creek County is $170,900, and the median rent is $910. At the higher end, lakefront properties near Mannford and newer subdivisions on Sapulpa’s north side can push home values above $250,000, while still offering a cost of living well below Tulsa’s. At the lower end, homes in Drumright, Oilton, and rural areas frequently sell for under $100,000, with some fixer-uppers available for $60,000–$80,000. Rent follows a similar pattern: a two-bedroom apartment in Sapulpa averages $850–$950, while comparable units in Drumright or Depew can be found for $600–$750. Amenities also thin out along this gradient: Sapulpa and Bristow have grocery stores, pharmacies, and fast food, but residents of Slick or Depew typically drive 15–25 minutes to reach a full-service supermarket. Internet access is another differentiator—Sapulpa and Bristow have reliable cable and fiber options, while rural addresses often rely on fixed wireless or satellite.
This county works best for people who value affordability and space over urban density. Commuters who work in Tulsa but want a lower cost of entry for homeownership gravitate toward Sapulpa or Mannford. Retirees and remote workers with stable incomes often choose Drumright or the rural pockets for the low property taxes and quiet. Families who prioritize a strong local school system and walkable amenities will find the most options in Sapulpa and Bristow. For anyone willing to trade convenience for square footage and a slower rhythm, Creek County delivers a wide range of viable, budget-friendly lifestyles.
Crime in Creek County
Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Creek County, Oklahoma, presents a mixed safety picture, with crime rates that significantly exceed both state and national averages. The county's violent crime rate of 409.6 incidents per 100,000 residents is notably higher than the Oklahoma average of roughly 450 and the national rate of approximately 380, while its property crime rate of 1,833.2 per 100,000 is substantially above the national benchmark of around 1,950. These figures are heavily influenced by conditions in the county's largest city, Sapulpa, and the more rural, unincorporated areas that surround smaller towns like Bristow, Drumright, and Kellyville.
Crime in context
When compared to the broader state and national landscape, Creek County's violent crime rate sits in a concerning middle tier. The county's rate of 409.6 per 100,000 is roughly 8% higher than the national average, but it is lower than the Oklahoma state average, which is often elevated by larger urban centers like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. However, the property crime rate of 1,833.2 per 100,000 is a more acute problem, running about 6% below the national average but still representing a significant risk for residents. The most critical factor for residents to understand is the prosecutorial and judicial philosophy in the county. Creek County falls under the jurisdiction of the 24th District Attorney, which includes parts of Tulsa County. The district attorney's office in Tulsa has been characterized by some observers as having a progressive approach to criminal justice, emphasizing diversion programs and reduced sentences for non-violent offenders. While intended to reduce recidivism, this philosophy can result in more criminals remaining on the street rather than being incarcerated, directly impacting public safety and the sense of justice for victims. This is a particular concern in Sapulpa, where the majority of the county's reported crime is concentrated.
What residents experience
Daily life in Creek County varies dramatically by location. In Sapulpa, residents frequently report issues with property crimes like vehicle break-ins, theft from porches, and occasional burglaries, especially in neighborhoods near the downtown corridor and along the Route 66 corridor. The city's police department is active, but the sheer volume of calls can strain resources. In contrast, smaller communities like Bristow and Drumright experience lower overall crime rates, though they are not immune. Bristow, for instance, has a relatively low violent crime rate but still sees property crime that tracks the county average. Kellyville and Mannford, located closer to the Keystone Lake area, tend to be quieter, with residents citing a strong sense of community and lower incidence of serious crime. The key difference is the prosecutorial environment: in more conservative, rural parts of the county, local judges and the district attorney's office are often perceived as tougher on crime, leading to higher conviction rates and longer sentences. This creates a tangible deterrent effect that is less present in the more urbanized, progressive-leaning areas of the county.
Neighborhood-level variation is pronounced. The safest areas are generally the newer subdivisions on the outskirts of Sapulpa, such as those near the Sapulpa High School and along the 117th Street corridor, and the lake communities around Mannford. The highest-risk zones include older, lower-income neighborhoods in central Sapulpa, particularly around the historic downtown area and the industrial zones near the railroad tracks. For those considering a move to Creek County, choosing a specific town or neighborhood is the single most important safety decision. A home in a quiet, rural part of Kellyville will offer a vastly different safety experience than a rental property in a high-density area of Sapulpa. Prospective residents should also research the specific judicial district and the track record of the local district attorney, as a progressive, offender-focused approach can undermine the deterrent effect of law enforcement and leave communities feeling less protected.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-06-15T23:14:11.000Z
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
ReloMaps may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
